Multiple contact input device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a multiple contact input device which makes it possible to use a single operation member in common for the purpose of controlling a coordinate signal and setting a point thereby preventing two switches from simultaneously operating. The device reduces the number of elements of the multiple contact input device. A base is provided with a first switch and four second switches at a periphery of the first switch, and an operation member is provided with a first pressing portion, second pressing members, and projections. When the operation member is swung longitudinally and laterally, the second pressing portions press the second switches. When the operation member is swung diagonally, each projection touches a receiving portion of the base, thereby preventing the second pressing portions from pressing the second switches. When the operation member is pushed, the first pressing portion presses the first switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multiple contact input device.Especially, the multiple contact input device according to the presentinvention comprises a first switch operated through a pushing motion ofan operation member and a plurality of second switches operated by aswinging motion of the operation member. Such a multiple contact inputdevice is useful as a pointing device employed for navigation systems orthe like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A gazette of Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2541120 includes adescription of a changeover switching device. In the changeoverswitching device, a circular operation plate is swingingly moved,thereby enabling four switches disposed at four points at intervals of90° to be selectively operated. In the changeover switching device, asupporting shaft, as a fulcrum for swinging movement, disposed on acenter portion of the operation plate, four points at intervals of 90°at a periphery of the supporting shaft have respectively operationportions respectively corresponding to the four switches, and eachstopper is disposed between two respective adjacent operation portions.According to a direction of a force applied to the operation plate, thestopper exhibits an effect for interrupting the swinging movement of theoperation plate, and such a swinging preventing effect by the stoppercan prevent the two switches from being operated simultaneously.

A gazette of Japanese Utility Model Laid-open application No. 6-9025includes a description of a paddle switch. In this paddle switch, acircular key top plate is swingingly operated, thereby operatingselectively four switches arranged at four points at intervals of 90°.Moreover, a hole formed at the center of the key top plate is providedwith a key top and the switches disposed on the center portion of thebase are operated when the key top is pressed. Moreover, a plate springis employed so as to return the key top plate to a neutral position anda clicking plate is employed return the key top.

According to the latter application for example, it is possible tooutput a coordinate signal through a swinging movement operation of thekey top plate. Moreover, through the pressing operation of the key top,it is possible to output a point setting signal for generating adetermination signal for deciding the previously input coordinate.However, the key top plate and the key top are independently required soas to output the coordinate signal and the point setting signal, thuscausing problems such as hindering the number of the parts from beingdecreased and reducing the operation. Furthermore, according to thelatter application, a relatively long guide for guiding a pressing andreturning motion of the key top is disposed at a peripheral surface ofthe hole formed on the key top plate so that a force may be applied tothe key top in order to enable the key top plate to be swingingly moved.As a result, it is inconveniently limited to thin a guide.

On the other hand, the noted utility Model Registration makes it onlypossible to output the coordinate signal by means of the swingingmovement operation of the operation plate. However, it makes itimpossible to output the point setting signal. Therefore, it cannot beemployed as a pointing device used for a navigation system or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to enable a single operationmember to be employed in common for controlling a coordinate signalcontrol and setting a point, thereby easily achieving deletion in thenumber of components and promotion of a thin device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiplecontact input device having a function of preventing two switches fromoperating simultaneously.

According to the present invention, a multiple contact input devicecomprises:

a base; a first switch; plural second switches; an operation member; aone-side-member; and other-side-members. The plural second switches aredisposed on a plurality of peripheral portions of the base, positionedat regular intervals from the first switch. The operation memberincludes a first pressing portion for operating the first switch andplural second pressing portions corresponding to the respective secondswitches. The one-side-member configured as either a projection or areceiving portion arranged at each position between two respectivesecond pressing portions disposed on the operation member and adjacentto each other. The other-side-members configured as either a projectionor a receiving portion arranged on the base for touching theone-side-member when the operation member is swung, thereby preventingthe two second pressing portions on both sides of the on-side-memberfrom pressing simultaneously the two second switches correspondingthereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the multiple contactinput device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the device with an arrangement ofswitches;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an operation member;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view illustrating the operation member of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second movable portion;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an arrangement of a first movable portion and asecond movable portion;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line VIII—VIII forillustrating a non-operating state of the multiple contact input deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line IX—IX forillustrating an operating state of the multiple contact input deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line X—X forillustrating a non-operating state of the multiple contact input deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line XI—XI forillustrating an operating state of the multiple contact input deviceaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 illustrating an operating state ofthe multiple contact input device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRRED EMBODIMENTS General Discussion

According to the present invention having such an arrangement, theoperation member is swingingly moved thereby pressing each second switchcorresponding to each second pressing portion via the predeterminedsecond pressing portion with the result that the second switch isswitched between an opening state and a closing state. By such aswinging operation of the operation member, for example, a coordinatesignal can be output. A pressing force is applied to the operationmember, thus pressing the first switch via tie first pressing portion.As a result, the first switch is switched between an opening state and aclosing state. By such a pressing operation of the operation member, forexample, it is possible to set a point as mentioned above. Next, in caseof swinging the operation member, one-side-members (for example,projections) positioned on the operation member which touch theother-side-members (for example, receiving portions) positioned on abase, it is checked that the two adjacent second pressing portions presssimultaneously the two second switches corresponding thereto. Therefore,a situation, wherein the two second switches simultaneously are switchedbetween the opening state and the closing state, never happens.

In the multiple contact input device of the present invention,preferably, the first switch is opened or closed through a snappingmotion of the first movable portion, and each second switch is opened orclosed through a snapping motion of each second movable portion.

According to the multiple contact input device of the present invention,the operation member has a plate-shaped portion, and the plate-shapedportion is provided with the one first pressing portion, the pluralsecond pressing portions and the plural one-side-members.

Preferably, the multiple contact input device comprises a spring memberfor touching the operation member thereby elastically, and usuallypressing, the first pressing portion of the operation member against thefirst movable portion, and usually, urging the operation member toward aneutral position set at a non-pressing position wherein all the secondpressing members do not press the second movable positions.

Also, the spring member may be disposed on another portion. In otherwords, according to the multiple contact input device wherein a case isformed by the base and a side wall raised on a periphery of the base,the case has a cover body fixed therein, a sheet is applied on an uppersurface of the first movable portion and the second movable portion,there may be the spring member between the sheet and the plate-shapedportion of the operation member for elastically urging the operationmember toward the cover body, and usually urging the operation membertoward a neutral position set at a non-pressing position wherein allsecond pressing members do not press the second movable positions.

According to the multiple contact input device employing the springmember, when a force is not applied to the operation member, theoperation member is urged by the spring member, thereby being kept in aneutral position. Accordingly, the first movable portion of the firstswitch and the second movable portion of the second switch are kept in anon-pressure state.

Preferably, the multiple contact input device comprises each engagingmechanism for preventing the operation member from axially rotating. Forexample, in the situation where a case includes the base and a side wallraised on a periphery of the base, each engaging mechanism may beprovided with a recess formed on a periphery of the plate-shaped portionof the operation member, and a protrusion formed on the side wall of thecase, and engaged with the recess.

In the multiple contact input device according to the present invention,preferably, each second switch comprises:

the rectangular second movable portion having a second normally opencontact and second normally closed contacts, the second normally closedcontacts made of a plate piece curved opposite to the second normallyopen contact being disposed on both sides of the second normally opencontacts through slits, and both ends in a longitudinal direction of thesecond normally open contact and the second normally closed contactbeing connected with each other via each short circuit portion,

a second normally closed fixed contact buried in the base and usuallytouching the second normally closed contacts, and

a second normally open fixed contact buried in the base andcorresponding to the second normally open contact.

Thus, even if an engagement mechanism for checking an axial rotation ofthe operation member is provided with play in a rotating direction ofthe operation member, the second pressing portions of the operationmember can ensure usually pressing the second normally open contacts ofthe second switches. This effect is enhanced by a structure wherein thefirst switch comprises the circular first movable portion made of adome-shaped snap plate having a first normally open contact formed the acenter portion thereof and a first normally closed contact formed on aperipheral portion thereof, a first normally closed fixed contact buriedin the base for usually touching the first normally closed contact, anda first normally open fixed contact buried in the base for correspondingto the first normally open contacts.

Preferably, the second movable portion of the second switch is arrangedso as to make a longitudinal direction of the second normally opencontact and the second normally close contact correspond to a crossingdirection with respect to a radial direction of the first movableportion. Thus, installation spaces of the first switch and the secondswitches are allowed to be small, thereby availing to promoteminiaturizing the multiple contact input device.

The first normally closed fixed contact and the second normally closedfixed contacts may be unified as a common electrode.

In the multiple contact input device, preferably, partitions fordividing a surface of the base into four sections at a periphery of aninstallation point of the first switch are disposed on four points ofthe base at intervals of 90° so as to protrude from the surface of thebase, and a space surrounded by inner end surfaces of the partitions isallocated to a portion for arranging the first movable portion, and eachspace between the respective two partitions adjacent to each other in adirection of arranging the partitions is allocated to each portion forarranging the second movable portions. Furthermore, preferably, theone-side-member is the projection, the first pressing portion, thesecond pressing portion and the projection is subsequently decreased ina projecting length from the plate-shaped portion, while theother-side-member is the receiving member, and the receiving member isformed on the surface of the partition. In this arrangement, the firstmovable portion of the first switch and the second movable portion ofeach second switch can be surely disposed on each predeterminedposition. Moreover, it can be surely conducted to switch each secondswitch by a swinging operation of the operation member and switch thefirst switch by a pressing operation at the same time while it is alsoconducted to prevent the two second switches from switchingsimultaneously.

The multiple contact input device can employ an arrangement wherein anaperture arranged on the center portion of the cover body is penetratedby an operation rod protruding to the center portion of the operationmember, and both the operation rod protrudes to an outer side of thecover body. Preferably, in the second movable portion, the longitudinalends of the second normally closed contacts and the short circuitportions are bent by a folding line of a boundary portion thereof. Inaddition, the first movable portion may be formed by overlapping the twosnap plates with each other.

As mentioned above, according to the present invention, a singleoperation member enables respectively the first switch and a number ofthe second switches to be selectively switched. Therefore, the operationmember can be used in common for controlling a coordinate signal andsetting a point. In addition, it can provide a multiple contact inputdevice for preventing the two switches from simultaneously operating,and as an effect, it can facilitate miniaturizing and thinning themultiple contact input device.

Other features and effects of the present invention can be illustratedmore clearly by following embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the presentinvention are described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 to 11, a case 1 of the multiple contactinput device is made of a synthetic resin body integrally including apolygonal (for example, octagonal) base 11 and a side wall 12 raised ata periphery of the base 11. The base 11 of the case 1 is provided with asingle first switch 2 and four second switches 3.

Principally referring to FIGS. 3, and 8 to 11, the first switch 2 andthe four second switches 3 are described.

The first switch 2 comprises a first normally closed fixed contact 21located in a center portion of the base 11 and having a surface of theswitch which is exposed to an approximately C-shaped, configuration, afirst normally open fixed contact 22 located in the base 11, and havinga surface exposed on a center portion of the first normally closed fixedcontact 21, and a first movable portion 23. The first movable portion 23is made of a circular dome-shaped snap plate and has first normallyclosed contact 24 at an outer periphery thereof and a sphericalsurface-shaped first normally open contact 25 extending upward on acenter portion thereof. The first movable portion 23 is mounted on thecenter portion of the base 11 so that the first normally closed contact24 may usually touch the first normally closed fixed contact 21, and thefirst normally open contact 25 is opposed to the first normally openfixed contact 22. The first switch 2 has a structure wherein a top ofthe first movable portion 23 made of the snap plate is pushed downward,whereby the first normally open contact 25 touches the first normallyopen fixed contact 22 with a snapping motion, and the normally openfixed contact 22 is connected for to the first normally closed fixedcontact 21 via the first movable portion 23, thereby leading to a closedstate. When a pressing force against the first movable portion 23 isreleased, the first normally open contact 25 is separated from the firstnormally open fixed contact 22 with the snapping motion, the firstnormally open fixed contact 22 is electrically insulated from the firstnormally closed fixed contact 21, thereby leading to an opening state.In the switching mentioned above, a sound and a touching sensation aremade by the snapping motion of the snap plate.

The second switches 3 are arranged on positions spaced from the firstswitch 2. Specifically, each second switch includes a second normallyclosed fixed contact 31 located in the base 11 and having an exposedsurface, a second normally open fixed contact 32 located in the base 11and having an exposed surface and a second movable portion 33. As shownin FIG. 6 in detail, the second movable portion 33 is rectangularlyformed. In the second movable portion 33, the second normally closedcontacts 34, 34 made of a plate piece curved opposite to a secondnormally open contact 35 made of a curved plate piece are arranged onboth sides of the second normally open contact 35 via slits 36, 36, andlongitudinally both end portions of the second normally open contact 35and the second normally closed contact 34, 34 are connected to eachother via short circuit portions 37, 37. Moreover, As shown in anassumption line in FIG. 3, the second movable portion 33 is mounted onthe base 11 so that the second normally close contact 34 may usuallytouch the second normally closed fixed contact 31, and the secondnormally open contact 35 is opposed to the second normally open fixedcontact 32. A top of the second movable portion 33 is pressinglylowered, whereby the second normally open contact 35 touches the secondnormally open fixed contact 32 with a snapping motion, and the secondnormally open fixed contact 32 is electrically connected to the secondnormally closed fixed contact 31 via the second movable portion 33 withthe result that the second switch 3 is closed. Moreover, when thepressing force against the second movable portion 33 is released, thesecond normally open contact 35 is separated from the second normallyopen fixed contact 32 with the snapping motion and the secondusually-opening fixed contact 32 is electrically insulated from thesecond normally closed fixed contact 31 with the result that it isopened. In switching, as mentioned above, a clicking sound and atouching sensation are made by the snapping motion of the snap plate. Asshown in FIG. 6, these clicking sound and touching sensation by thesnapping motion of the snap plate are more clearly generated byincluding a bent folding line on each boundary portion between bothlongitudinal end portions of each second normally closed contact 34 andeach short circuit portions 37.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, each second switch 3 is disposed on aplurality of peripheral portions positioned at regular intervals fromthe first switch 2. Namely, the second switches are disposed at fourpoints around the first switch 2 at intervals of 90°. Moreover, eachsecond movable portion 33 of the four second switches 3 is disposed soas to define a longitudinal direction L (cf. FIG. 6) of the secondnormally open contact 35 and the second normally closed contacts 34correspond to a crossing direction with respect to a radial direction Rof the first movable portion 23 of the first switch 2.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the first normallyclosed fixed contact 21 of the first switch 2 and the second normallyclosed fixed contact 31 of each second switch 3 are formed so as to beelectrically short circuited by piercing a metal plate, as commonelectrodes.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 10 and 11, the base 11 of the case 1 isprovided with partitions 13 for dividing a surface of the base 11 intofour sections at a periphery of an installation point of the firstswitch 2 so that the partitions 13 may be disposed on four points of thebase 11 at intervals of 90° so as to protrude from the surface of thebase 11. A space S1 surrounded by an inner end surface 14 of eachpartition 13 is allocated to a portion for arranging the first movableportion 23. Moreover, each space S2 between two respective adjacentpartitions 13 is allocated to a portion for arranging each secondmovable portion 33. Therefore, the first movable portion 23 ispositioned by the respective inner end surfaces 14 of the fourpartitions 13, and each second movable portion 33 is positioned by thetwo respective adjacent partitions 13, 13. In FIG. 2, a referencenumeral 10 designates an insulating synthetic resin sheet. The sheet 10is located on an upper surface of the first movable portion 23, thesecond movable portions 33, the partitions 13 or the like via anadhesive layer, shown in FIGS. 8-12. Thus, the sheet 10 is applied,thereby ensuring relationship of the positions of the first movableportion 23, the second movable portion 33, and the partitions 13. FIG.12 shows closing of the first normally open fixed contact 22 by asnapping motion of the protruding first pressing portion 43.

The operation member 4 is made of a synthetic resin body integrallyincluding a polygonal (for example, octagonal) plate-shaped portion 41,and an operation rod 42 protruded upwardly from the center portion ofthe plate-shaped portion 41, and the plate-shaped portion 41 is housedby the case 1. As shown in FIG. 5, a protruding first pressing portion43 is disposed on a center portion of a back surface of the plate-shapedportion 41. The first pressing portion 43 is supported by the top of thefirst movable portion 23 of the first switch 2, in a state wherein thesheet 10 is sandwiched therebetween (see FIG. 3). Additionally, the backsurface of the plate-shaped portion 41 has protruding second pressingportions 44 at four points at intervals of 90°, equally spaced from thefirst pressing portion 43. The four second pressing portions 44respectively correspond to the second normally open contacts 35 of thesecond movable portions 33 of the second switches 3, in a state ofinterposing the sheet 10 (see FIG. 3). Moreover, each projection 45 isdisposed on a middle portion between the respective two second pressingportions 44, 44 adjacent to each other in a direction of arranging thefour second pressing portions 44. The projections 45 disposed atintervals of 90° are opposed to receiving portions 15 formed on therespective surface of the four partitions 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first pressing portion 43, the four secondpressing portions 44 and the four projections 45 are decreased in thatorder in a projecting length from the plate-shaped portion 41. Namely,as shown in the same figure, the first pressing portion 43 protudes moreto a lower side by only d1 than the second pressing portion 44 and thesecond pressing portion 44 protrudes to a lower side by only d2 than theprojection 45. The difference d1 of a projecting length between thefirst pressing portion 43 and the second pressing portion 44 ispredetermined so as to be equal to a stroke length of the first movableportion 23 made of the snap plate of the first switch 2 or a little morethan the stroke length thereof. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, even ifthe operation member 4 is pushed to reverse the first movable portion 23by means of the first pressing portion 43 when the operation member 4 isin a neutral position (mentioned later), there is no possibility thatthe second pressing portion 44 makes the second movable portion 33 ofeach second switch 3 reverse.

Furthermore, a difference d2 of the projecting length between the secondpressing portion 44 and the projection 45 is predetermined as below.When the operation member 4 is swingingly moved whereby the singlesecond pressing portion 44 is lowered in a direction of pressinglylowering only the second normally open contact 35 of the second movableportion 33 corresponding thereto, the projection 45 never touches thereceiving portion 15 until the second pressing portion 44 makes thesecond normally open contact 35, reverse completely. However, when theoperation member 4 is swingingly moved whereby two second pressingportions 44, 44 adjacent to each other are lowered in a direction ofsimultaneously pressing the two second normally open contacts 35, 35 ofthe two second movable portions 33, 33 corresponding thereto, eachprojection 45 touches the receiving portion 15 with the result that thetwo second pressing portions 44 makes the two second normally opencontacts 35 simultaneously reverse. Thus, the difference d2 is set so asto avoid making the two second pressing portions 44 make the two secondusually-opening contacts 35 simultaneously reverse until the projection45 touches the receiving portion 15.

In FIG. 2, the reference numeral 5 designates a spring member. Thespring member 5 includes a center frame portion 52 having an aperture 51and four arms 53 extending from the center frame portion 52 in acrossing state, a tip of each arm 53 is buried in a recess 16 formed onan upper end surface of the side wall 12 of the case 1, therebyoverlapping it with a bottom surface of the recess 16. Furthermore, areference numeral 6 designates a cover body, the cover body 6 is fixedon the case 1 by engaging an engaging-checking piece 61 disposed on aperiphery thereof with an engaging projection 17 on a side of the case1. The cover body 6 closes an aperture of the case 1 as well as holdingthe tip of each arm 53 of the spring member 5 in the recess 16. Theoperation rod 42 of the operation member 4 pierces the aperture 51 ofthe spring member 5 and a slightly large aperture 62 disposed at thecenter portion of the cover body 6 thereby protruding to an outer sideof the cover member 6. The aperture 51 of the spring member 5 is formedin a square shaped hole, and the operation rod 42 is also formed in asquare shape, whereby the aperture 51 of the spring 5 prevents theoperation member from axially rotating via the operation rod 42. Inaddition, recesses 46, 46 (see FIG. 5) formed on two points of theperiphery of the plate-shaped portion 41 of the operation member 4 areengaged with two protrusions 18, 18 (see FIG. 3) formed on the side wall12 of the case 1, thereby preventing the operation member 4 from axiallyrotating. Therefore, each engaging mechanism 7 for preventing theoperation member 4 from axially rotating comprises the recess 46 and theprotrusion 18.

The center frame portion 52 of the spring member 5 elastically andlightly presses the plate-shape portion 41 of the operation member 4downward. Therefore, when a force is not applied to the operation member4, the pressing force is generated by the spring member 5, therebykeeping the operation member 4 in a neutral position so that an axisthereof is vertical with respect to the base 11.

According to the multiple contact input device mentioned above, in thecase that an a pressing operation for pressingly lowering the operationrod 42 is conducted, thereby reversing the first movable portion 23 ofthe first switch 2 by means of the first pressing portion 43, the firstnormally open contact 25 touches the first normally open fixed contact22 to switch the state of the first switch 2 from open to closed. Atthis time, the touching sensation (the feel) accompanied with thesnapping motion of the first movable portion 23 is conveyed to the hand,at the same time while a clicking sound is made. When the pressing forceapplied to the operation rod 42 is released, the first normally opencontact 25 is separated from the first normally open fixed contact 22accompanied with the snapping motion of the first movable portion 23,thereby switching the first switch 2 from a closed state to an open one.Also, in this case, the touching sensation accompanied with the snappingmotion of the first movable portion 23 is conveyed to the hand at thesame time while the clicking sound is made.

From a state wherein the operation member 4 is kept in the neutralposition, a swinging movement operation for pressing the operation rod42 laterally is conducted, thereby swingingly moving the plate-shapedportion 41 in a state wherein the first pressing portion 43 centersthereon. As a result, according to a direction of the swinging movement,as shown in FIG. 9, the predetermined second pressing portion 44reverses the second normally open contact 35 of the second movableportion 33 of the second switch 3 corresponding thereto, and the secondnormally open contact 35 touches the second normally open fixed contact32. Therefore, the second switch 3 is switched from the open state tothe closed state. At this time, the touching sensation accompanied withthe snapping motion of the second normally open contact 35 is conveyedto the hand at the same time while the clicking sound is made. When alateral force applied to the operation rod 42 is released, the secondnormally open contact 35 accompanied with the snapping motion thereof isseparated from the second normally open fixed contact 32, therebyswitching the second switch 2 from the closed state to the open state.Also, at this time, the touching sensation accompanied with the snappingmotion of the second normally open contact 35 is conveyed to the hand,at the same time while the clicking sound is made.

When the operation rod 42 is laterally pressed, there is a case whereinthe projection 45 touches the receiving portion 15 of the partition 13,as shown in FIG. 11. In this case, there is no possibility that thesecond pressing portions 44, 44 positioned on both sides of theprojection 45 simultaneously reverse the second normally open contacts35 of the second movable portions 33 corresponding thereto. Accordingly,the two second switches 3 are never simultaneously switched from theclosed state to the open state. In other words, when the operationmember 4 is swingingly moved along the dotted chain lines a—a in alongitudinal direction and b—b in a lateral direction in FIG. 7, theopen or closed state of the second switch 3 is changed over according tothe swinging movement direction. Then, when the operation member 4 isswingingly moved along dotted chain lines c—c and d—d in diagonaldirections in the same figure, the projection 45 touches the receivingportion 15, thereby preventing the two second switches 3, 3 from beingswitched simultaneously.

Although, in FIG. 2, there is the first movable portion 23 formed byoverlapping the two snap plates, the first movable portion 23 may beformed by only one snap plate, needless to say. However, the firstmovable portion 23 is formed by overlapping the two snap plates, therebyachieving advantages wherein elasticity and strength of the firstmovable portion 23 is enhanced, and the clicking sound accompanied withthe snapping motion is more clearly made at the same time while thetouching sensation thereof conveyed to the hand is further clear.

Though, according to the above mentioned multiple contact input device,a crossing shaped plate spring is employed as the spring member, acircular or polygonal (preferably octagonal) shaped plate spring may beemployed. Moreover, a position for arranging the spring member 5 is notlimited to a portion between the operation member 4 and the cover body6. Accordingly, it may be interposed between the sheet 10 and theplate-shaped portion 41 of the operation member 4. In this case, thespring member 5 having an upwardly protruding shape can be preferablyemployed. Moreover, it is also possible that the receiving portion isdisposed on the back side of the plate-shaped portion 41 of theoperation member 4, and the projection corresponding to the receivingportion is disposed on a side of the case 1.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiple contact input device, comprising: abase defining a periphery; a case formed by said base and a side wallextending upwardly from the periphery of said base; a cover body fixedto said base; a first movable portion and second movable portions, saidfirst movable portion and said second movable portions each defining anupper surface; a sheet; a metallic spring member; a first switch; pluralsecond switches disposed on a plurality of peripheral portions of saidbase, positioned at regular intervals around said first switch; saidbase including said first switch and said second switches; an operationmember including a plate-shaped portion, first pressing portion foroperating said first switch, and plural second pressing portionscorresponding to said respective second switches; a one-side-memberformed as one of: a projection and a receiving portion, arranged at eachposition between two respective second pressing portions disposed onsaid operation member and adjacent of each other; and other-side-membersformed as one of: a projection and a receiving portion arranged on saidbase for touching said one-side-member when said operation member isswung, thereby preventing the two second pressing portions on both sidesof said one-side-member from pressing simultaneously the two secondswitches corresponding thereto, wherein said sheet is applied to theupper surface of said first movable portion and said second movableportions, said metallic spring member being situated between said coverand said plate-shaped portion for elastically urging said operationmember away from said cover body, and urging with said first switch saidoperation member toward a neutral position, which is set at anon-pressing position where all said second pressing portions do notpress said second movable portions.
 2. A multiple contact input deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said first switch is moved to be one: ofopened and closed, through a snapping motion of said first movableportion.
 3. A multiple contact input device according to claim 1,further comprising: a plurality of second moving portions, wherein saidsecond switches are moved to be one of: opened and closed through asnapping motion of each of said second movable portions.
 4. A multiplecontact input device according to claim 1, wherein said spring member ismade of a plate spring.
 5. A multiple contact input device according toclaim 1, wherein said plate-shaped portion of said operation member isprovided with said one first pressing portion, said plural secondpressing portions and said plural other-side-members.
 6. A multiplecontact input device according to claim 5, wherein said spring member ismade of a plate spring.
 7. A multiple contact input device according toclaim 1, wherein said operation member has a center portion and saidcover body has a center portion, and wherein an aperture arranged at thecenter portion of said cover body is penetrated by an operation rodprotruding from said center portion of said operation member, and saidoperation rod protrudes from an outer side of said cover body.
 8. Amultiple contact input device according to claim 1, further comprising:engaging means for preventing said operation member from rotating.
 9. Amultiple contact input device according to claim 8, wherein said casehas a protrusion formed on at least two of its sides, and wherein saidengaging means is formed as a recess on a periphery of said plate-shapedportion, said protrusions being engaged with a corresponding recess. 10.A multiple contact input device according to claim 1, wherein saidplural second switches are disposed at four points at intervals of 90°on said base, and wherein said other-side-members are disposed at fourpoints at intervals of 90°.
 11. A multiple contact input deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said second movable portions arerectangular, and wherein each second switch comprises: a rectangularsecond movable portion having a second normally open contact and secondnormally closed contacts made of a plate piece curved opposite to saidsecond normally open contacts, and disposed on both sides of said secondnormally open contacts through slits, said second normally open contactsand said second normally closed contacts define longitudinal ends, withboth longitudinal ends of said second normally open contacts and saidsecond normally closed contacts being connected with each other via ashort circuit portion; a second normally closed fixed contact situatedin said base and touching said second normally closed contacts; and asecond normally open fixed contact situated in said base andcorresponding to said second normally open contact.
 12. A multiplecontact input device according to claim 1, wherein said first switchcomprises a circular dome-shaped snap plate comprising said firstmovable portion having a first normally open contact formed at a centerportion thereof and a first normally closed contact formed at aperipheral portion thereof; a first normally closed fixed contactsituated in said base for touching said first normally closed contact,and a first normally open fixed contact situated in said basecorresponding to said first normally open contact.
 13. A multiplecontact input device according to claim 11, wherein said first switchcomprises a circular dome-shaped snap plate comprising said firstmovable portion having a first normally open contact formed at thecenter portion thereof, and a first normally closed contact formed at aperipheral portion thereof, a first normally closed fixed contactsituated in said base for touching said first normally closed contact,and a first normally open fixed contact situated in said basecorresponding to said first normally open contact.
 14. A multiplecontact input device according to claim 13, wherein said circular firstmovable portion is formed by overlapping said two dome-shaped snapplates with each other.
 15. A multiple contact input device according toclaim 13, wherein said first normally closed fixed contact and saidsecond normally closed fixed contact are unified as a common electrode.16. A multiple contact input device according to claim 13, wherein saidbase includes partitions for dividing a surface of said base into foursections at a periphery of an installation point of said first switch,and wherein said base defines inner end surfaces and said partitionsdefine inner end surfaces, said partitions being disposed at four pointsof said base at intervals of 90° so as to protrude from the surface ofsaid base, and a space surrounded by the inner end surfaces of saidbase, and a space surrounded by the inner end surfaces of saidpartitions is allocated to a portion for arranging said first movableportion, each said space between two respective partitions adjacent toeach other in a direction of arranging said partitions is allocated toeach portion for arranging said second movable portions.
 17. A multiplecontact input device according to claim 16, wherein said one-side-memberis a projection, wherein said first pressing portion, said secondpressing portion and said projection have a lesser projected length thansaid plate-shaped portion, while said other-side-member comprises areceiving member, and said receiving member is formed on a surface ofsaid partition.
 18. A multiple contact input device according to claim11, wherein, in said rectangular second movable portion, bothlongitudinal ends of said second normally closed contact and said shortcircuit portions are bent along a folding line of a boundary portionthereof.